BERRY PHASE, CONDUCTANCE OSCILLATIONS AND PHASE BREAKING IN MESOSCOPIC TRANSPORT

A novel class of interference phenomena originating from the geometric phase is discussed. Spin-orbit interaction results in the geometric p hase and leads to the destructive interference and a phase shift of th e Aharonv-Bohm conductance oscillations in ballistic and diffusive rin gs. In-plane magnetoresistance of rings exhibits abrupt ''topological' ' transitions from destructive to constructive interference. The origi n of the phase breaking due to the spin-orbit interaction in the weak localization conductance and in the universal conductance fluctuations if clarified.